The Lightning Struck is an indie rock band from Toronto. To watch the Lightning Struck is to be transported to New York’s Lower East Side, sometime between ’69 and ’91. Listen carefully – you can hear the Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, the Ramones and Television.
The Lightning Struck’s sound didn’t happen by accident. In 2000 Loren moved to New York City after listening to the Velvet Underground and Nico one too many times. After 20 years of making music there, Loren returned to Toronto, bringing the New York sound with him. In the spring of 2022, he started the Lightning Struck with old friends Michael Milanetti and Blitz.
The Lightning Struck is Loren Davie (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Milanetti (guitar, backup vocals), Blitz (bass), and Dan Craig (drums).
Now LA-based, Koyal is an indie pop-rock trio from ATL on the rise, composed of lead vocalist Pooja Prabakaran, guitarist/producer Noah Weinstein, and drummer Henry Wallace. Formed in their college basement, the trio’s friendship and musical chemistry have propelled them forward, steadily building a loyal fanbase and a diverse discography ranging from soft acoustic to main stage disco-pop. In 2024, Koyal released three new disco and dance-infused singles “intoxicated,” “gasoline,” and “lotus lake,” which are off their upcoming studio album, breathe in. breathe out, set to drop in February 2025.
Recently, the band shared the stage at the 2024 Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival alongside renowned artists such as Barenaked Ladies, Moon Taxi, +Live+, Sister Hazel, Lisa Loeb, and Crash Test Dummies, captivating audiences with their electrifying live performances, infectious melodies, and heartfelt lyrics.
In 2023, Koyal achieved a significant milestone by selling out a headlining show at Atlanta’s iconic venue The Masquerade, and completing their 11-date debut East Coast “Gravity Tour” to promote their dance-pop single, “Gravity.”
Victoria-based alt-country musician Leeroy Stagger shares the acoustic video for ‘These Days’, the latest single from his new album 3 AM Revelations out now on all digital streaming platforms via Tonic Records. Watch video here.
‘These Days’ is the third single to be released from 3AM Revelations, following the release of ‘Count To Ten‘ and ‘Watermelon Pink‘. The song is a personal one for Leeroy, as he wrote it about his sobriety and the ongoing journey of recovery.
“This is one of the main anchors of this record to me,” says Leeroy. “It’s a recovery song based on a period of time that I would awake suddenly around 3:38 exactly every other morning. I didn’t mind it too much, but it gets hard when there are kids to get off to school every morning. I would google what it means to wake up at 3:38 every morning and the internet would spew off something about that being the devil’s hour or something foolish. The same thing would come up about 2:30 and 4:35 am, etc. My mind would be very active at this time, hence the speaking in tongues line. The song is a reminder to myself to find the humanity in my interactions. To meet my fears with more love. It’s a reminder that my disease is always there doing push ups, waiting for me to slip up, and that I have to work very hard to transcend that world that lives inside of me.”
Leeroy Stagger’s new album 3 AM Revelations is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. Look for Leeroy on the road this month starting in Red Deer, AB on February 14th. More tour dates in Ontario and Quebec will be announced soon. For more information, please visit leeroystagger.com.
19-year-old global artist d4vd – one of the most exciting artists to watch of the last two years – announces his long-awaited debut album WITHERED set for release on April 25 via Darkroom/Interscope.
A continuation of his lauded and beloved first two EPs that introduced him to the world – Petals to Thorns and The Lost Petals – d4vd’s WITHERED is a brilliant amalgamation of disparate influences shaped into one visceral whole. The record takes the listener through the natural evolution and lifespan of the rose, an omnipresent visual in d4vd’s creative output thus far, and is intended to be listened to sequentially like chapters in a book as the demise of a relationship unfolds. It is an album crackling with love found, love lost, love created, and love destroyed through every chorus and every melodic line.
Since he emerged in public consciousness only a couple years ago, d4vd has rapidly transformed from a home-recording artist to an international sensation, racking up over 100 million streams per month. His breakthrough came with 2022’s viral tracks “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me,” both amassing over a billion streams to date, making him one of the first artists to have two songs in the Billions Club without ever having released a full album.
Paris-born singer, songwriter, and producer Aime Simone releases dynamic new single “Fast City” out on the 5th of February, taken from his hotly anticipated upcoming album.
Through cinematic production and incisive, hard-hitting vocals “Fast City” conveys the fire and rage of revolution. Techno-infused drum machines lay the tracks energetic soundscape as rock guitars and other-worldly synths create a dystopian bed for Aime Simone’s catchy pop-inspired melodies. “For a moment they got me down and bitter. They’re gonna see now I’m revving up” Aime sings as a powerful promise of his capabilities.
Breaking down the track Aime Simone tells us: “The song evokes a movie scene, with insistent percussive vocals that drive over a feverish cinematic production. It has an aggressive attitude, with Techno-inspired drums and rock guitars that cut through eerie arpeggiated synths. It’s a speedy, hyped-up club pop track with a nightmarish undertone.”
San Franciscan artist Grooblen returns today with a new journey into colorful offbeat psych pop. “The Convenience Of Being” is a deceptively breezy single that soon spills into the wonky guitar wig-outs that have come to typify the Grooblen live show. The song channels a moment of clarity when singer/songwriter Ellie Stokes realized her existence was being treated as a ‘convenience’ for someone with little regard for her own needs. She explains this genesis for the song, stating her “realization that a friendship I was in had become one-sided. I became a go-to person to talk at, or only getting contacted when emotions were high. I decided to respectfully remove myself from this tiring pattern that had started, and this experience also led me to look a little more internally for how I can do better as a friend.”
“The Convenience Of Being” arrives as the lead-off single from a new Grooblen EP, FRIENDO, which will be released on April 10th. This EP sees Stokes return to a collaborative partnership with bay-area producer Jim Greer (Foster The People, Handsome Boy Modeling School), who helmed the sessions for 2023’s A Wormhole Is A Freeway To The Stars. Greer is also responsible for putting the EP out via his own War Chant Records.
Philadelphia-based tastemaker label Julia’s War Recordings is excited to announce Moths Strapped To Eachother’s Backs, the debut album from Brooklyn band Bedridden, out April 11, 2025. A collection of ten songs recorded last year at Studio G and produced by Momma’s Aron Kobayashi Ritch, their imminent debut is a thrashing but tight-edged look at tumultuous adult life. The first preview of the record arrives today in the form of “Etch,” a melancholic song driven by anger and the need for release through violence. Guitar riffs pass through each other like missed punches but bandleader Jack Riley’s vocals land like a sucker punch.
“‘Etch’ was a rhythmic accident that didn’t stem from any direct inspirations,” Riley explains. “The irregular triplet line came to me first and sounded somber, yet hostile. It lent itself well to phrases I had written not about heartbreak, but about the subsequent temper that it had induced. I was dreaming of fighting, I was dreaming of winning that fight, and lastly dreaming of defaming my competitor. The song is frantic and doesn’t have a tonal center. With its weaving guitar harmonies laid underneath countering vocal melodies, it sounds to me like that regretful fistfight that I was longing for.”
“Feel pretty lucky to be a bunch of really close friends that just get to mess around and make music together…” singer Scott Stanton
For over a decade, West Coast indie rock band Current Swell have carved a name for themselves in the hearts of fans worldwide, thanks to their electrifying live performances and vibrant, soulful songwriting. Hailing from Victoria, BC, this six-piece band—fronted by longtime friends Scott Stanton (vocals, guitar) and David Lang (vocals, guitar), alongside Louis Sadava (bass, vocals), Marcus Manhas (drums), Phil Hamelin (trumpet, keys), and Dave St. Jean (trombone)—have toured the globe, captivating audiences from Brazil to Australia, and filling theatres across North America and Europe. With hundreds of millions of streams and a dedicated fanbase, Current Swell stand out as one of indie rock’s most exhilarating acts, delivering unforgettable shows and cultivating a loyal following.
Since their breakout success with albums like Protect Your Own and When to Talk and When to Listen, Current Swell’s music has resonated with listeners, combining powerful storytelling, infectious melodies, and a sound that straddles indie rock, folk, and a touch of West Coast roots. Tracks like “Comin’ Home,” “Young and Able,” and “Long Time Ago” have become anthems, consistently belted out by rapturous crowds, reaffirming the band’s reputation for live performances that pulse with energy, soul, and community.
Now, after an extended break since 2019’s critically acclaimed Buffalo, Current Swell returns, recharged and rejuvenated, with their highly anticipated double EP Peacekeeper. The first EP was released on November 22nd, 2024 with the second to follow in summer 2025. Produced by the legendary Gus Van Go (The Beaches, Arkells, Metric), this new collection of songs showcases the band’s growth both personally and creatively. The EP captures the joy and camaraderie of friends who thrive on making music together, a vibe that has been a hallmark of their sound since day one.
On working with Van Go, Stanton shares, “He’s a wizard. We loved working with him. He used a lot of the demo tracks, knowing we’d captured something special. He knew exactly where to expand, add a stomp, a clap, or a shaker.” The result? A laid-back, feel-good record that invites listeners into the band’s world of carefree road trips, breezy summer days, and deep personal reflection.
The first single off the 2nd EP, “10 Feet Tall”, captures the thrill of youthful freedom and the unshakable confidence that comes from being in the right mindset, and surrounded by the right energy. The song blends nostalgia with empowerment, reflecting on the highs of living fully in the moment and the wisdom that growth brings. At its core, “10 Feet Tall” is about resilience, intention, and those unforgettable moments that make you feel truly alive. With its uplifting lyrics and anthemic energy, the track is a vibrant reminder of how perspective can make you feel larger than life.
Current Swell’s live performances remain their beating heart, where the band truly shine. Described as “a church of rock ‘n’ roll” by diehard fans, their shows are a cathartic release— intense, joyous, and unifying. With the addition of regular collaborators Phil Hamelin and Dave St. Jean, and the return of founding member Louis Sadava on bass, their performances have only grown more dynamic and expansive, blending rock, folk, and brass elements into something that feels both timeless and urgent.
Current Swells aren’t just making a return. With Peacekeeper, they’re reminding the world why they’ve become such a beloved force. As they prepare to hit the road this spring, touring new music alongside fan favourites, they are ready to bring down the house, one electrifying performance at a time.
Minneapolis band she’s green are excited to announce that they have officially signed to NYC’s Photo Finish Records. To celebrate, they’re sharing their first new music since their 2023 breakout EP, Wisteria. “Graze” arrives today with an official music video. A glistening and layered guitar track produced by Henry Stoehr of Slow Pulp, mixed by Sonny DiPerri (DIIV, My Bloody Valentine) and mastered by Alec Ness (Paris Texas, Lutalo), this wistful single is filled with lulling acoustic guitar that cascades into distorted oblivion.
“This song is about feeling trapped in a distant memory and longing to find a way out,” she’s green says about “Graze.” “The only way to escape seems to be facing it head-on and finally getting the release you need.”
“The first time I heard she’s green’s music, I was completely and utterly compelled,” says Photo Finish Director of A&R Shane Friedman. “I knew I had to see this band live, immediately. So on a sweltering June day, I flew to Minneapolis and piled into a hot, sweaty basement with 100 other local fans and watched them hypnotize the entire crowd. It was a show I’ll never forget. As we got to talking, I knew this was a band who had a clear vision for not only what they want their music to sound like, but also the world they intend to build around it. They’re imaginative, innovative and incredibly talented musicians. We could not be more excited to welcome them to the Photo Finish family and hit the ground running.”
Joy Crookes share her contemplative new single, ‘Mathematics’ Feat. Kano as BBC R1’s Hottest Record with Jack Saunders. A collaboration between two of the country’s most authentic and well respected music-makers, ‘Mathematics’ is a track that universally navigates the messiness of human connection. It’s the latest taste of music from a new era of Joy Crookes that sees the once-in-a-generation artist dig deeper into the fabric that makes Joy the artist, the woman, the human that she is today.
What started as a personal reflection on love and communication for both Joy and Kano has evolved into a bittersweet confessional as Joy candidly explains: “Mathematics was written when I was dating a French man who couldn’t understand what was going on between us wasn’t hieroglyphics, we were just falling in love and then he tried to friend zone. As I get to know this song better and sing it more, I’ve realised this song is somewhat an angry song about how easy I find it to love and the frustration that it can’t be reciprocated. It’s nice when a song becomes a medicine for lots of different fuckeries that life hands us. Kano came to hear the record with Blue May and I and then secretly recorded his verse to mathematics when I’d initially asked him to record on another song. He was drawn to mathematics and popped into the studio without us and literally just sent over a verse. It was so moving to see how he’d been moved enough to do this, almost like a little gift to this record. Cheers Kane, it’s really special to hear you write about love.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
Source link
